Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-08
POWDERlY ON SOCIALISM.

man Powderly has taken against anarch-
ism and socialism, and the moves made by
some MEMBERS Of the Knights Of Labor to
curtail his power, or to GUST him from his
office altogether, have directed public at
~tention to the man. 1t is known that Mr..
Powderly represents the best type OF the
American mechanic. He is a Thorough
workman, and has spent his life in toll.
He is also an honest, intelligent workman,
and always commanded the respect of his
employers for his manliness and sobriety
therefore, what he says upon any subject
connected with labor and labor move
ments is read with interest. The following
letter, which he wrote to a New York
Knight several months ago has just been
made public, and as it is among his most |
interesting productions, wereproduce it en-
tire:
You have men in New York who would
move heaven and earth to restore the old
customs and make the order again an
Oath-bound organization. / know them, |
You nave men in New York who nave CO.
operated with men in Philadelphia t. break
up the order by going to a Catholic prelate
OF eminence, and telling him that our old
oath is still in force; that the word ofhonor
is but n blind to make cat's-paws OF the
Catholic members, and that the General
Master Workman is q party to the infa-
nous transaction. . . The curse of
the knights OF Labor has come from the
promptness with which acknowledged cad
ers OF the socialist element have put them
selves forward at meetings, and, while
speaking, plainly limited at the musket and
Gatling gun as the remedy for labor's
grievances. Many Of the men who advo-
cate the principles OF socialism do not I'M ,
derstand them; nor do they are to under !
stand them. They set forth the idea and {
convey the impression that the only weap-
ons by which labor can hope to secure the
desired reforms are the knife and bludgeon.
Men may entertain such ideas as these,
they may advocate them if they please,
but they should not seek under the cloak
OF the Knights OF Labor to promulgated
such doctrines and make the order %respon-
slble Tor them. l claim the right to differ t
as to the means best calculated to bring (
about reform, and an willing to respect the '
opinions OF Others; but until the knights 8
OF Labor adopt the shotgun as their U
chief weapon l will vigorously object to al 8
lowing Socialistic advocates to step to the
at all meetings got up in the interest i
OF labor. They must not be permitted to d
blood and fire and yet proclaim d
themselves to be the mouthpleces of the o
labor cause. The conduct and language of n
these men nave caused the clergy to regard t
US with an eye of suspicion, and it will take h
Efforts on our part to remove O
the erroneous impressions concerning us. "
1t is my firm and honest belief that, as I
vast as is this country, as broad and ex- Il
as ia lite territory, there is not q
room enough within it's bounds for the use 4
Of a single rifle. l nave no respect for the G
nan or men who will faunt that accursed Il
red flag and advocate the use of the dirk r,
and bullet Tor 6 days in the year, and Il
who. on the 365th day, will deliberately n
walk up to the polls and vote for the con- =,
tinuance OF the system which thew de. re-
lounce. -.
am sorry that the order ever found a r.
oothold in New York. for no good has AZ
,ver come from large cities, which are pro- T
itr OF whisky and crime. There are many re
God Knights in your city New York;. If D,
require any determined action give me f
he man who reads and thinks instead OF e,
he man who drinks. There are more of b,
The latter In a large city than of the form N
n. However, the K. of l.. will live, their W
principles will spread and eventually tri- t.
lmph. Bah! on the creatures who stand O,
Up as the champions of labor in the pres a.
nee OF unthinking men and advocate the te
nile and bullet! Bah! on the men who Il
Haunt the red flag! They are too vile to &c
and too cowardly to uphold the le
flag, sanctified by the blood OF in
PATRIOTS. They disgrace it every time they st
to the polls to vote for monopoly and m
They are not to be trusted. %,
From the above it will be seen that Mr.. a
has not the least faint of e,
or Socialism in his mental COM NJ
Neither has he any sympathy -
or nor a common feeling with those who 5
ldvocate the policy OF the Anarchist or tt
'ocialist in dealing with the labor question. al
t required a bold man to take the stand Sc
le has taken. As the head OF an immense
OF workingmen, not a few oil
HON are avowed Socialists while many
'thers are strongly tinctured with the be-.
OF those a~gitators, he has had the &C
outrage to express his convictions. Alb
Feak man would have avoided the tissue" VI
ut Mr.. Powderly not only did not avoid &C
{ but is forcing it. He proposes to cleanse =
nd purify the order by roofing out Social. FL
IN from it root and branch. He will be o,
'stained by the more intelligent and tn
.etter men oil the order, while Socialists Gl
nd Anarchists will ultimately form a Ac
organization. II Mr.. Powderly or te
len holding his opinions remain at tho ar
cad OF the order for a few years it will be ju
opposed OF a purer and better BODY Of NJ
than it ever can be with q Soeialistic pc
a.